25 Effective Home Remedies To Treat Loose Motion
Did you just return from a farewell dinner feeling sick in the stomach? While stomach pain in itself can be rather bothersome, when accompanied with loose motions, it can leave you feeling drained out and miserable. If you are suffering from loose motions, feel relieved that you can treat yourself with a number of natural remedies right at home! Let us take you through a comprehensive list of home remedies for loose motion.
Loose Motions – An Overview:
Loose motion is the frequent passage of stool that is loose or watery. Watery bowel movement once in a while is quite common and nothing to worry about. It may be due to an infection in the intestine or some bad food that you would have consumed. It is in a way, flushing out the toxins from the body. Usually, the colon absorbs the excess water in faecal material and leaves solid wastes to be excreted. Loose motion occurs when more fluids pass through the intestine without getting absorbed. The electrolytes get disturbed, and more fluids pass through the colon causing loose motion.
Loose motion is worrisome when you pass stools more than three times in a day. Since the body is excreting more fluids, it can cause a water imbalance in the body called dehydration (1). Dehydration can be life threatening if not treated in time.
Causes Of Loose Motions:
Loose motion has various causes. They are:
1. Food Poisoning:
When some food upsets the digestive system. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites cause loose stools. noroviruses, rotaviruses, sapoviruses, astroviruses, and certain adenoviruses, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella species, Entamoebahistolytica, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, can all cause loose motions.
Excessive sugar intake can increase the water content in the stool causing loose motions. The small intestine has only a limited capacity to digest certain kinds of sugar and intake of large quantities of these sugars can cause loose motions.
2. Lactose Intolerance:
Various people suffer from lactose intolerance as they have low levels of intestinal lactase. Intake of a large quantity of milk or dairy products can cause loose motions (2).
3. Overeating:
Overeating can also be a major cause for loose motions (3). Too much food, which is unabsorbed by the body, is excreted in the form of a loose motion.
4. Stress And Anxiety:
When a person is suffering from stress and anxiety, it puts a deal of pressure on the body and hormones. This in turn affects digestion and causes loose emotion (4).
5. Radiation Or Chemotherapy:
Loose motion is many a time one of the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation (5). While one cannot stop the treatment, a few small changes in eating patterns and diet can help control loose motions.
6. Malabsorption Disorders:
Sometimes there is a need to impair the breakdown of dietary fats, starches, and proteins due to the decreased production or release of pancreatic digestive juices. This causes malabsorption and loose motion. Cystic fibrosis and pancreatitis are also reasons for malabsorption.
Loose motions can be accompanied by stomach cramps, stomach ache, bloating and loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or fever. If there is fever, it indicates an infection. If left untreated, it can lead to various complications, which can be fatal.
How To Treat Loose Motion At Home?
Sometimes loose motion cures on its own. After passing loose stool 2-3 times, it stops on its own. If the loose motion does not stop after three times and it carries on, then there are various home remedies that can help. These home remedies are natural cures with ingredients that are usually found within the home. They are quite safe and help stop loose stools easily if the cause is not very serious.
If the frequency of loose motion is more, then it becomes imperative to stop it immediately to prevent dehydration that can be life threatening. It is important to change the diet pattern if you are suffering from loose motions.
Avoid all kinds of spicy, too salty, too sugary, and oily food that can aggravate it. Intake of water should be increased to prevent dehydration. Coconut water, buttermilk, or lemon juice is also useful.
Home Remedies For Loose Motion:
Here are some of the home remedies that you can try:
1. ORS:
The WHO has recommended ORS or Oral rehydration solution, which helps to stop mild cases of loose motion and helps in combating dehydration (6). ORS is easy to make. Combine 1 liter of water, ¾ teaspoon salt, 1cup orange juice, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. If you do not have orange juice, you can always add a teaspoon of sugar to the solution. Sipping the solution throughout the day helps to hydrate the body and stops loose motions. Consumption of ORS is one of the best home remedies for loose motion in kids.
2. Bananas:
Loose motions can be overcome by simply eating a full banana. Since it is starchy and pulpy, it helps to bind the stools. A banana can be had with a cup of curd too. The friendly bacteria in the curd produce lactic acid, which kills the bad bacteria and fights the infection.
3. Slightly Burnt Toast:
Consume slightly burnt toast when you have loose motions. This provides both soluble and insoluble fibre to the body that facilitate bowel movement without irritation. The charcoal in the burnt toast helps combat harmful toxins and flushes them out of the body.
4. Buttermilk:
Buttermilk with a pinch of salt is very good for loose motions. You can consume as much as 4-5 glasses of buttermilk for quick relief from loose stools. The acid in the buttermilk fights the bacteria and germs (8). You can also add curry leaf paste in buttermilk, as these leaves improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines, and set it back to normal!
5. Pomegranate:
Pomegranate is a good remedy for loose motions. The astringent property of the fruit helps to stop loose motions in a jiffy. Drinking pomegranate juice helps to dispel weakness due to loose motion. Pomegranate peels are equally effective in curing loose motions. You can shade-dry the peels and keep them for later use too. Boil 3-4 of these peels in two cups of water on a low flame, until the water is half its original quantity. You can also add candy sugar or honey to sweeten the concoction. Drink this 2-3 times a day. It is quite an effective treatment.
6. Chamomile Tea:
A cup of chamomile tea helps to treat intestinal inflammation (9). Chamomile tea bags are easily available. You can also create your own concoction by adding some chamomile flowers and 1 teaspoon of peppermint leaves in a cup of boiling water for fifteen minutes. Drink 3 cups a day to get your tummy back to normal.
7. Blueberry Roots:
Since time immemorial naturopaths have been using blueberry roots for the treatment of loose motions. In some European countries, doctors recommend soup made out of dried blueberry to treat the problem. The blueberries are rich in anthocyanosides and tannin. These have antibacterial and antioxidant properties that help to treat loose motions the natural way!
8. Orange Peel:
Another home remedy regularly used by folk people for loose motions is the orange peel. Chop the orange peel and add a liter of boiling water. Cover and let it stand until the water, cools. You can add honey to sweeten the solution before drinking it. This helps to aid digestion.
9. Fenugreek Seeds:
Fenugreek seeds have anti fungal and anti bacterial properties (10). Powdered fenugreek seeds mixed with water or buttermilk is an effective cure for loose motion.
10. Carrot:
Carrot is very good for curing loose motions. It is a rich source of pectin, and it helps to soak up the excess water in your body. You can make fresh juice of carrots and drink it several times during the day. You can also eat it raw or cook and puree it and have several times a day.
11. Psyllium Seeds:
Ground psyllium seed is quite an effective cure. Mix one to three tablespoons in water and drink; it soaks up the excess fluid present in the intestine and makes the stool bulkier.
12. Apple Cider Vinegar:
The apple cider vinegar is a good home remedy for loose motions. It is a good source of pectin and helps to soothe an irritated stomach. It fights the bacteria that cause loose stools. Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it after every meal.
13. Ginger:
Many a time loose motion is caused by indigestion (11). In such cases, ginger brings in good relief. Mix fresh or dry ginger with rock salt and a little jaggery and take in a spoonful of it. Ginger is a carminative. It stimulates the gastrointestinal tract and aids digestion. You can also consume dry ginger powder with buttermilk. It helps to soothe stomach pain and cramps.
14. Bottle Gourd:
If you are suffering from loose motion, drinking up some bottle gourd juice can help. The vegetable helps to retain the water in the body and prevents dehydration. Blend a freshly peeled and cut bottle gourd in a blender and extract the juice. Drink a glassful 2-3 times a day.
15. Mint And Honey:
A combination of mint and honey is the best remedy for loose motions. The mint has anti-bacterial properties and aids digestion. You can also chew on fresh mint leaves. You can extract fresh juice, add honey and lemon juice to it, and drink it 2-3 times a day to find relief from loose motion.
16. Bael Leaf Powder:
Bael leaf and fruit (the fruit also known as wood apple) work wonders in combating loose motions. They help to soothe the stomach muscles and stop loose motions. Chew some bael leaf powder with honey to rid pain and loose motions. You can take this mixture 3-4 times a day.
17. Curd & Turmeric Concoction:
Curd has anti bacterial property while turmeric has antiseptic properties, and a combination of the two makes a great remedy for loose motions. It helps to soothe the pain and cramps associated with loose motions. Pour in two-table spoons of curd in a pan, add ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder, curry leaves, a pinch of asafoetida, salt and boil it for five minutes. Drink this concoction once it has cooled. Consume it 2-3 times a day to get instant relief from loose emotions.
18. Cinnamon And Honey:
Cinnamon and honey is an age-old cure for loose motion. Cinnamon helps to soothe the pain and ease the many side effects that accompany loose motions. Simply mix crushed cinnamon in honey and have a tablespoon or two in the morning with some warm water for effective and quick relief from a sick stomach.
19. Brown Rice:
Brown rice is good when you are suffering from a bad case of loose motions. Brown rice has Vitamin B and helps to ease loose motion and the accompanying symptoms. Make sure the rice is boiled until very soft, as it is easy on the system. It also helps to flush out harmful toxins from the body. You can also add curd or banana to the rice.
20. Mango Seeds:
Did you know that the mango seeds that you generally discard, can help you treat loose motions? The mango seeds should be collected when in season, dried, and powdered for later use. Take a spoonful of this powder with honey for relief from loose motion.
21. Baked Or Cooked Apples:
Apple is a healthy and natural remedy for loose motions. Bake or cook an apple and puree it. The pectin in the apple drains the excess liquid in the intestine. Alternatively, just munch an apple a day and you will be amazed at how your general health improves.
22. Drumstick Leaves:
Cooked drumstick leaves too can help ease a bad tummy. It has antioxidant properties (12). You can also extract the juice of fresh drumstick leaves, add honey, and consume it. You can consume this herbal remedy, 2-3 times a day. If gulping down the juice of the leaves sounds obnoxious, you can also make a curry of the leaves that goes well with rice and rotis.
23. Guava:
Eat 1-2 guavas a day, when suffering from loose motions. The astringent compound of the guava helps to bind loose stools. It has disinfectant and antibacterial properties. It helps to combat microbial growth during loose motions.
24. Bran:
One tbsp of unprocessed bran with whatever you consume helps to absorb the excess fluid in the intestine. Integrate some bran in your daily meal. You can add them to your rotis, or simply bring home some bran crackers!
25. Strawberries:
Consuming strawberries is a good way to stop loose motions. Strawberries help to thicken the stool. You can also make a decoction of it and drink it. Who does not love a chilled glass of strawberry milkshake? And if that can help get your tummy alright, then can you ask for more?
Home remedies are the way to go if you have loose motions. Not only are they the natural ways to put your stomach at ease, they are also inexpensive and do work at taking you back to normal in no time. Bid adieu to expensive medications and revisits to the general physician the next time your stomach begins to wobble. Instead, try these remedies and see instant relief!
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